Washing-machine.



P. WERNER.

WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1912.

Patented Feb. 3, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET1.

l/VVE/VTOR Werner ATTORNEYS Paul WIT/V58 8 P. WERNER.

WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1912.

Patented Feb. 3, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

n m" hn W ATTORNE Y8 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL WERNER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF I0 SPINDLER, OI NEW YORK, N. Y.

WASHING-MACHI E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 3, 1914.

Application filed June 12, 1912. semi an. ream.

to me under date of May 21, 1912, to which reference is here made.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: to provide a supporting frame for a machine of the character described, readily and quickly adjustable to tubs of various makes and shapes; .to provide a swinging frame for the machine, which may be quickly and readily lifted out of the Way when placing in, or removing from the tub, the clothes to be washed; and to provide a simple and inexpensive mechanism for regulating the operative-position of the machine.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, and in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine of the character mentioned, constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 22 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 in Fig. 4; Fig. 4 is a detail View, on an enlarged scale, showing the washing machine .mechanism as seen from below; Fig. 5 is a detail view in perspective, showing a corner ofthe supporting frame for the machine; Fig. 6 is a detail view showing in top plan a modified form of the bracket for supporting the washing machine; Fig. 7 is a front view of the washing machine and parts connected therewith, in the raised or out-ofservice position; Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the machine in the position shown in the previousfigure, the section being taken on the line 88 in Fig. 7. I

As seen in the accompanying drawings, the mechanism is divisible into what may be termed the supporting frame, including a supporting bracket, and a detachable or removable operating mechanism which may be denominated as the washing machine. The office of the frame is to conveniently and advantageously support in operative and 1n inoperative position the operating mechamsm or machine.

Referring more particularly to the elements, as seen in the drawings, the preferred form of the supporting frame, as shown in Fig. 1 thereof, is constructed of a number of corner sections 11. These sections are each provided with a bracket '12, having a top horizontal portionto overhan the edge of the tub A, as seen in Fig. 2 of a e drawings, and a vertical portion 13 disposed to bear against the inner side of the tub, to steady the frame in its lifted position and grip the sideof the tub, and :to prevent accidental dislodgment of the frame from the tub. To ease the grip of the brackets 12 and the vertical portion 13 thereof upon the tub, each bracket is mounted upon .a resilient link arm 14. The'spr'ing of the arms 14 prevents the frame from forcing apart or opening the joints of the tub A. The various arms 14 operate to vary the vertical adjustment of the frame relative the tub. The arms 14 are mounted upon the sections 11, being pivotally secured thereto by pins 15. The brackets '12 are each pivotally secured to one of the arms 14 by means of a pin 16. I Extending through each arm is a .pin end 17 of a screw 19. The vertical portion 13 of the said bracket is provided with a series of erforati'ons 18, each adapted to register with the pin end 17 when the bracket is swungabout the pin 16.

Under normal conditions, the weight of the machine will maintain the fiat overhang ofeach of the brackets 12 level with the upper edge of the tub on which the frame of the washer rests. The relative angle of the link arm 14 and the vertical portion 13 of the bracket 12 depends upon the engagement, by the pin ends 17, of the perforations 18 as the bracket 12 is swung about the pivot pin 16. Upon this adjustment depends the disposition of the link arms 14. above the plane of the frame, resulting thereby in the depression of the supportin frame with which said arms are'ommccte WVhen the pin 17 is in the lowermost of the perforations 18, and the bracket seaion 12 disposed in a horizontal position, it will be found that the horizontal extension of the bracket 12 is raised above the frame. The effect of this arrangement is that the frame is dropped below the edge of the tub. This is a convenience in adapting the machine to tubs that are unusually deep.

Under ordinary conditions, the adjustment of the bracket 12 to the sections 11 is that shown in the drawings, where the pin end 17 is in register, with the uppermost of the perforations 18. The pin end 17 is preferably formed as a smooth end portion of the thumb screw 19. The threads of the screw 19 register with the threads of the tapped perforations formed in the corner sections 11. By the manipulation of the screws, 19, the brackets 12 are forced outward or away from the sections 11, to morefirmly grip the sides of the tub'A. As seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings, there are four of the screws 19. These are arranged to press the brackets 12 against the lateral sides of the tub.

The su porting frame is adjustable in length an width and to this end, the corner sections 11 are slidably connected, and the side arms thereof are held in set relation by clips 20 and 23. Each section is provided with a series of perforations 21, longitudinally disposed. Connecting bars 24'are provided for the end arms of the corner sect-ions 11, each having a pin 22 formed in the end thereof to register with and engage the perforations 21 in the adjacent corner sections. Those portions of said connecting .bars carrying the pins 22 are slightly deflected to normally spring away from the adjacent. corner sect-ion. This effects aready release on the frame for adjusting the width thereof whenever the clips 25 are moved away from the ends carrying the pins 22. The clips 25 and 28 are loops mounted upon the bars 24 and sections 11, res ectively, to form slides. It will .be seen rom the foregoing. that whenever a machine such. asdescribed is tobe adjusted to a tub this maybe quickly effected by moving the'clips 25 to such a position that the pins 22 do not engagethe perforations 21. The cornersections 11 of the frame are in this position each free to be moved by the operator,so that the firackets 12 rest over the edges of.the tu The screws 19 are manipulated to retract the brackets 12, so that pressure may be subsequently applied after the frame is locked up. The locking up of the frame in the ad- 'justed position is accomplished by moving the clips 25 over the corner sections 11 and connecting bars 24, toward the ends, of said bars 24 carrying the pins 22. The pins 22 are by this action forced through the perforation 21 with which each pin 22 corresponds. 1'

The side extensions of the corner sections 11 are slidably engaged by the clips 20 and 23, and to permanently maintain the adjustthe cli secure is usually sections 11.

ment, a clamping screw 26 is provided. The

clips 20 and 23 are each rigidly mounted upon one of the sections 11. The screw 26 is extended through a tapped perforation in and the section to which the clip is and bears against the other section to force it'into frictional engagement with the opposite side of the said clip.

In service, the adjustment above described erformed butonce. After being adjusted, t e frame is maintained in its position, and is stored without disarrangement of said adjustment. I

It will be understood that the frame may be dismantled or placed in the condition generally known as knock-down, by withdrawing the corner sections 11 from the clips 20, 23, 25, 28 and 29.

The clips 29 are rigidly secured to the bracket 30 to form guides for the corner The bar 24, designed for adj ustment at the back of the washtub, is rigidly connected Iwith the bracket 30. -The arms 31 of the bracket 30 have top opening slots 32 and 33 to form bearings for trunnions 34, with which the swinging frame 36 is provided. The swinging frame 36 is primarily employed as a support for the casing 40, said casin being pivotally connected by means of t e trunnions 41 with the side rails 35 forming part of the structure of the frame 36. Within the casing 40, and upon a stud shaft 60 therein, is mounted a relatively large gear wheel 57. The wheel 57 is meshed with wheels" 58 and 59, which are rigidly mounted upon the bearing ends of beater arms 68 and .69; see Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings.

To maintain in service the beater arms 68 and 69 in vertical arrangement at different heights of the casing 40, I have provided the hooks 37,, the side arms 38, and the swinging bars 39. The hooks 37 are pivotally mounted upon trunnions 34, and are .pivotally connectedwith the swinging bars 39; see Fig. 3 of the drawings. The side arms 38 are rigidly connected to the casing 40, WhlOhilS pivoted on the side rails 35 by 'means of the trunnions 41. Said side arms are pivotallyconnected with the swinging bars 39. Each hook 37 is provided with a latch head 42 adapted to swing under and engage the lugs 43 and 44, which are rigidly mounted upon the arms 31 of. the bracket 30. It is preferred that the hooks37, when in engagement with either of the lugs 43 or 44,

should be vertically disposed, and that the side arms 38 and the beater arms .68 and 69 should be vertically arranged. The parallel relation of the said side arms and hooks is maintained by the frame 36 and the swinging bars 39. By means of this arrangement, the frame 36 may swing on the trunnions 34, to raise or lower the outer ends of the rails 35 and of the casing 40 carried theremit the operator'to gamete by, to raise or lower to the bottom of the washtub the operating position of the beater arms 68 and 69.

To adjust the operatin position of the said beater arms and the me 36, the said frame has pivotally mounted onthe. rails 35 thereof, the stop plat'es45. The'plates 45 are provided at the lower end with elongated slots 55 to engage pins 56 rigidly mounted on each of the swinging bars 39 and extended through the said slots. The said plates are provided at the opposlteend with latch heads 47 to engage a plate 48 slidably mounted at the under side of the frame 36. The plate 48 is suitably furnished with a stop pin 49, as best seen in Figs. 4, 7 and 8 of the drawings. The in 49 is employed to bear on the inclined edge of a cam plate 50. The plate-50 is provided with a slot 52, through whicha stud 51 extends, and upon which'a nut 53 ismounted to hold the plate 50. The'plate 50 is provided with an extension 54' that protrudesbehind the rear edge of the frame 36 to pergrasp the sameand' shift the plate 50. I When the weight of the frame 36, casing and parts connected therewith, is supported by the hooks 37 the said frame 36 and swinging bars 39 are prevented from swinging. about the trunnions" 34, and the pivotal connection of the hooks with the bars 39 by the plate 48 preventing the rota! tion of the plates 45, saidlates in-this manner serving as a stop orthe frame 36 and parts connected therewith. If the plate 48 is permitted by the movement of the late to move toward the rear edge 0 the frame 36,.the frame 36 swings on the trunnions 34 to lower the operating position of the parts mounted in the case 40. If, cm the contrary, the plate 50 be movedto limit the movement of the plate 48, the operating position of the casing 40 and parts connected therewith is lifted. It is obvious that the operator can at all times regulate in this manner the operating position of the beater arms 68 and 69.

Extending from the under side of the frame 40, and integrally or rigidly co nected' therewith, are extended bearings and 67 (see Figs. 2 and 4- of the drawings). Integrally or rigidly connected with the wheels .58 and 59, and extending through the bearings 66 and 67 are curved beater arms 68. and 69.- The arms 68 and 69 are each provided at the lower end thereof with balls 70, these balls being provided to prevent the ends of the arms from damaging the clothes bein manipulated;

The ratio of tewheel 57 to the wheels 58 and 59 is that of two to one; or, inother words, such as to establish a complete revolution of the wheels 58 and 59 for a half revolution of the wheel .57. The wheels 58 ryin and 59 are disposed-at opposite sides of the wheel '57, and are thus rotated' in opposite directions; The wheels 57, 58 and 59 are operated by the lever 63, the handle 64 whereof is grasped by the operator. The lever 63, at the inner end, vis extended throu h a slot formed in the hub 61 of thew eel 57 The slot thus formed is covered by a plate 62, as best seen in Fig. 8 of the drawings. Theinsertion oft-he lever 63 in the slot mentioned is governed by a stop pin 65 mounted on the lever 63.

To operate a machine of the character described, when the frame 36 has been deposited in supported relation upon the arms 31 of the bracket 30, and in the slots 33 thereof, the operator grasps the handle 64 and swings it back and forth through onehalf of a complete revolution.- The limit of revolution of thelever 63 is controlled by the arms 68 and 69, which impinge, the one-upon the other, if the handle is carried beyond the-full half-stroke. In the rotation of the wheels'58 and 59, it will be seen that thearms' 6'8 and 69 are each swung about a circle concentric with the'wheel's' 58 and 59. If, due to the crowding of the tubA, it is desired that the arms 68 and69 be notembedded so deeply within the clothes in the tub, this is arranged for by the operator lifting the frame 40, thereby swinging to an upwardly-inclined posit-ion the frame 36, the latter pivoting on the trunnions 34. It

will be noted that the weight of the frame 36 maintains the hooks 37 against the lugs 43, and rocks the plates 45. toward the plate 48. In this position, the operator, grasping the extension 54 of the plate 50, moves the same to advance the plate 48 until the same impinges'upon the head 47 of the plate 45. It will now befound that the plates 50 and 48 prevent the rocking of theplates 45 and the depression of the gear case 40'and the beater arms 68 connected therewith. It will be observed that in this position, though the frame36 is inclined, and the beater arms 68 and 69 are partially raised from the clothes in the tub A, the said arms are in vertical arrangement, and the frame 40 carg the wheels 57, 58' and 59 is horizon-- tally disposed. It will be understood that during the operation of washing, the clothes may become more compact, ora portion of the same may be from time to time .removed, requiring, for best -results, that the frame 40 and the arms 68 and 69 shall be lowered. When the washing operation has been completed, the machine is lifted out of the way by the operator grasping the'gear case 40 and liftingthe same, the swinging frame 36 pivoting on the trunnions 34. The bars 39 and the lower end of the plates 45 are held against movement by the hooks 37, which impinge upon, and are held from movement by, the pins 71. The frame 36 is finally arrested in a raised position, tilted slightly backward as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, In the raised position just above described, the arms 68 and 69 are folded in close to the frame 36, and thus are disposed in position to avoid the person of the operator when lifting clothes into or 35 manner described may be readily and quickly adjusted to accommodate the conditions under which the operation of washing is being performed, the frame 40 being raised or lowered to suit the convenience of the work and that at any time, the frame 40 and parts "connected therewith may be lifted and folded back to a position out of the way, or into a position to avoid obstructing the operation of removing the clothes from the tub. In adjusting the supporting frame to a tub, the following rules should be observed: The screws 26 are manipulated to release the clamp 'of the lateral bars of the corner sections 11. These are then adjusted to ac- 30 commodate the length of the tub; the clips 25 are then retracted, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. l of the drawings, to allow the connecting bars 24 to spring away from the sections 11, so that the pins 22 recede from engagement with the perforations 21. The sections 11 may be now moved over the bars 24, until the brackets 12 and the vertical sections 13 thereof are properly adjusted to the tub A, bearing lightly against the side thereof. The clips 25 are then moved toward the end of the bar 24, forcing the' pins 22 into the perforations 21 with which they are registered. The screws 26 being tightened, the frame is now set in rigid position, so that it will not yield when the screws 19 are manipulated to press firmly the vertical portions 13 of the brackets 12 against the sides of the tub, rendering the frame rigid on the tub, and thereby insuring better operative conditions for the washing machine supported on the frame.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, there is substituted for the supporting frame a supporting bar 72. The

bar 72 is rigidly connected with the U- shaped bracket 30. The bar 72 is twisted to provide flat portions 73, to which are pivotally connected sockets 74. The sockets 74 are adapted to fit over the rim of an or- ,60 dinary circular washtub, such as B, and are each provided with a set screw 75, the manipulati on of which clamps the socket 74 in holding position upon the tub B. When using such a supporting member as shown in Fig. 6,.it will be understood that the 0peration and construction of the washing machine is unchanged from that above described.

It-is to prevent the introduction of water to the gear case 40 that I have provided the raised flange 76. The flange 7 6 is circular, being disposed at the edge of the opening in the cover of the case 40, through which is introduced the gear wheel 57. To register with the raised flange 76, I provide an an- 75 nular downturned flange 77, integrally formed with the wheel 57 to register with the upturned flange 76. In this manner, water is prevented from passing from the top of the cover of the case 40 to the interior 30 thereof.

Claims:

1. In combination, a washing machine having a plurality of rotary beater arms, an operating lever, a transmission mechag5 nism connecting said arms and lever, and a case for said transmission mechanism; a bracket pivotally connected with said case to suspend the machine in operative position; and means for maintaining said heater arms in vertical position at various heights from the bottom of a tub.

2. In combination, a washing machine having a plurality of rotary beater arms; a lever operating mechanism therefor, and a containing case for said operating mechanism; a supporting frame adapted for adjustment to a wash-tub; a swinging frame pivotally connecting said supportingframe and containing case; a plurality of elongated hooks pivotally mounted on said swinging frame and arranged to engage fixed members mounted on said supporting frame; connecting bars pivotally connecting the free ends of said hooks and said case; and means to control the rotation of said case on said swinging frame.

3. In combination, a washing machine, having a plurality of rotar beater arms; a hand-lever operating mec anism, and a containing case for .said mechanism, said case having a plurality of rigid side arms disposed in plane withthe axis of said beater arms; a supporting frame for said'maehine adapted for mounting upon a wash-tub, said frame being provided with bracket arms;

a swinging frame for said machine, pivotally mounted on said bracket arms; and swinging bars operatively connecting said rigid side arms and said bracket arms to maintain the axis of said heater arms substantially vertically disposed when in raised and lowered position.

4.In a washing machine such as described, having a gear case; a supporting 11% frame for said case; a swinging frame adapted for pivotal mounting upon said supporting frame; a plurality of hooks pivotally connected to, and pendent from, said swinging frame to engage said supporting frame; a plurality of swingin bars pivotally connecting said case and t e free ends of said hooks; means en aging said swinging frame and swinging ars, for arresting the relative movementthereof; and means for regulating the extent of said relative movement of the swingingframe and swinging bars. v o b 5. In combination, a washing machine having a gear casing-and side arms extending perpendicularly therefrom; aswinging frame pivotally connected with said-casing and with a supporting frame adapted for rigid connection with a wash-tub; a plurality of hooks pivotally connected with said swingin frame, adapted for fixed xen-' gagement with said supporting frame; a plurality of swinging bars pivotally connecting the free ends of said hooks and said side arms; a stop plate pivotallymounted on said swinging frame and operatively connected with said swinging bars; and "a cam late adjustably mounted on said swing ing me to arrest said stop plate.

v6. In a machine such as described, an adjustable frame for holding a washing machine on awash-tub, com rising a number of separable sections slidab ly connected, cer-- tain of said sections having a series of perforations; corresponding sections, ,having each a pin to register with said perforations; holding clips to maintain the pins in said perforations; a plurality of spring-am tuated angle brackets adapted tov extend above the edge of said tub: and a plurality of screws mounted in said frame sections to force the angle brackets'therefrom against the tub structure,to hold said frame firml in said tub structure.

7 In a machine such as described, an adjustable frame having a "plurality of sliding sections, said sections each having a series of longitudinally-disposed perforations; connecting bars disposed on opposite sides of said frame, in sliding relation to the frame sections having perforations,.each of said bars having at the ends thereof pins for reglstering with said perforations; and

clips infolding said bars and frame sections,

for holding the same in fixed relation.

8. In combination, a washing machine having a gear casing provided with rigid side arms; a sw nging frame pivotally connected with said gear casing; a plurality of hooks'pivotally mounted on said swinging frame; a plurality of swinging bars-operatively-connecting the free ends of said hooks and the ends of said side arms, to maintain the same in parallel relation;"a plurality of stop plates pivotally mounted on said swinging, frame and operatively engaging said swinging bars; a' mo, vable plate slid-- ably mounted in the pathof saidstop plates *to" engage the same; a cam plate'slidablymounted on said swinging frame to engage and arrest said movable-plate to vary the 'movement thereof; and a supporting frame adapted for mounting. upon a wash tub to extend toward the center thereof, said frame \having va'rr'ns provided with top opening slotsv to form pivotal bearings for said swinging frame, said arms having lugs to engage the free ends of said hooks.

9. In combination, a washing machine having a gear casing provided'with rigid side arms; a swinging frame pivotally connected with said gear casing; a plurality of hooks pivotally mounted on said swingingframe; a plurality of swinging bars operatively connecting the free ends of said hooks and the ends of said side arms, to maintain the same in parallel relation; a plurality of stop plates pivotally mounted on said swinging frame and operatively engaging said swinging bars; a movable, plate slidably mounted in the path of said stop plates to engage the same; a cam plate slidably mounted on said swinging frame to engage and arrest said movable plate. to vary the movement thereof; and a supporting frame adapted for mounting upon-a wash tub to extend toward the center thereof, said frame having arms provided with top opening slots to form pivotal bearings for said swinging frame, and a plurality .of means disposed at various stations on said support ing frame to engage the free ends of-said hooks. Q

' Intestimony whereof I have signed my. name to this specificationin he presence of two ribing witnesses.

r v f PAUL WE annawitnesses:

v E. F. Munbocx,

.' PnnnD Bonnnws. 

